Ryan's POV
Lounging by the pool in one of his many properties, Ryan Terrell tried to relax, to enjoy himself, but found he could not.
After months of being in a funk, the pleasures of the flesh( that he used to enjoy a great deal not appealing to him) his best friend had suggested that it was probably because he was spending too much time in his penthouse. Heeding Mark's advice. Ryan had decided to throw himself a party in his Tuscan style mansion.
Unfortunately for him the change in scenery had not helped at all.
Watching the scantily glad women all around, he found that not a single one caught his eye. Whether it was the babes who were topless or the ones currently listening to music and twerking, None of them interested him.
Just as he was about to get up and head into the house there was suddenly a weight on his lap. Suppressing an annoyed grunt at the intrusion of his personal space, he took off his designer sunglasses and looked at the young woman who was currently straddling him.
Objectively she was beautiful, all big blue eyes and golden hair, and Ryan was well known for his love of beautiful women. But staring at the bold woman, he did not feel any of the stirring in his lower belly that normally followed, seeing a hot woman showing interest in him. Instead all that he felt was irritation. The woman, unaware of his internal thoughts smiled slyly at him.
"Wanna play?" She asked, giggling lightly in a way that was very clearly practiced while running a hand over his chest.
It was a laugh that Ryan had heard many times before.
Women seeing the billionaire Ryan Terrell and instantly putting on their very best act in an attempt to reel him in.
Unfortunately for her, he was not in the mood to play pretend. Lifting his arm, Ryan very gently gripped the dainty fingers that were playing a tune against his hardened abs and gave the young lady an apologetic smile.
"So sorry Melanie, I have somewhere to be. Now if you please," She pouted but got off him. As he grabbed his robe and stood Ryan had her mutter under her breath.
"It's Jenny," Not really caring what her name was, he left his guests behind and headed into the house. Pausing only to share a meaningful nod with his best friend Mark( who was surrounded by women) before continuing on.
***
With the thick walls of the house blocking out the sounds of the party going on outside. Ryan pulled out his laptop and started checking on some of his investments. If Mark were to walk in he would be very disappointed. But Ryan did not care.
He worked at a steady pace, frowning here and there as he took note of some business ventures that would definitely be needing him to keep a careful eye on them.
All in all, everything was going as planned. Halfway through he was interrupted by his phone ringing.
Leaning back on the far too comfortable for its own good couch, he stared at the little device and had to push down at the instinctive panic he felt when
he saw who the caller was.
" Hello, grandfather," The old man on the other side did not bother returning the greeting.
"I need you to come home, write this very moment," Pinching the bridge of his nose. Ryan gave the old man a negative answer.
"I cannot do that grandfather. I am very busy at the moment," On the other end, the old man made a growling sound. His annoyance clear. "You have been giving me that reply for the last 5 years,"
"Why is it that you now treat seeing your own grandfather in person as though it is something that might kill you?" Letting go of the bridge of his nose. Ryan leaned back and stared up at the ceiling. His attention focusing on the giant chandelier there. Taking in all of the tiny crystals that made the piece come alive whenever the lights were on.
" I am not avoiding you grandfather. I have just been-"
"Busy," The old man finished for him.
The word was spit like an insult and there was nothing Ryan could say to that because that was exactly how he had been intending to finish the sentence.
"Do you even know what today is? The old man asked, and Ryan felt his throat close up. Blinking rapidly to prevent any tears from leaving his blue eyes. He stayed quiet for a long while only speaking when he was certain. His voice would not betray him.
"Of course I know. What day it is grandfather,"
For his part, the old man did not try to hide the pain in his voice. "If you are well aware that today is the anniversary of your younger brother's death, then why are you not here to visit his grave with me and honor him?" Clearing his throat, Ryan fought back against the unwelcome pull of emotions that often came alive whenever he tried to think of his late brother.
Realizing that against his better effort a lone tear was sliding down his cheek, the dark haired man hastily wiped it away.
"Listen grandfather, please place some flowers on his grave on my behalf, I really will not be able to make it,"
"Ryan how dare you?! This is your brother we are talking about, not some-" He hung up before the old man could continue.
With the call over, it should have been easier for him to get back to work. But Ryan found himself barely able to move. All that he could do was just sit there. Focusing on his breathing as he tried to banish all thoughts of his younger brother, Brian from his mind.
***
Mark found him like that a few minutes later.
"What is wrong with you?" Mark instantly asked. Raising his head to look at his friend, Ryan tried to be flippant.
"Nothing at all. In fact I am more worried about you. What sort of person wears a three piece suit to a pool party?" Rolling his eyes, Ryan took a seat. Lowering the sleeves of his shirt back down and covering up his caramel toned skin.
" A successful banker like myself wears a three piece suit to a pool party. Now answer the question, what is wrong?" His friend had a look in his brown eyes that said he would not be letting the matter drop. So Ryan decided to just fess up.
"Today is that day," He did not need to elaborate. The other man immediately tensed, knowing exactly what day Ryan was talking about.
"Are you going to visit his grave? He asked and Ryan shook his head, feeling a bit bad that he did not even have an ounce of guilt for taking such a selfish stance. Luckily for him Mark, who knew the full story, did not judge. Instead he suddenly brought his hands together. The loud clap making Ryan jump.
"You know what? The pool party idea is awful. How about we leave this place, and hit up a bar instead? The intimate atmosphere is just what you need," In truth Ryan did not feel like going anywhere. But he knew his friend would not be taking no for an answer. So he simply nodded. If anything a bit of alcohol, served by a professional would go a long way in helping him ease his pain.